Ratchada Thai & Laos Cuisine — Restaurant in Philadelphia

What a surprise ! On a cloudy rainy day, we decided to go to a Thai Lau restaurant located in South Philly. This is a asian community part of South Philadelphia, where you find many markets, restaurants, and retail business of that nature I’ve been coming to this area for over 25 years, but this is the first time I’ve been in this restaurant, this has a very nice sign for the restaurant located above the main entrance, but looking at the restaurant, you wouldn’t really think much of it until you walk inside this is a beautifully decorated restaurant almost has a little romantic feel to it while it was kind of early for dinner, we were there around 4 PM, and there was one other couple in there there was very nice music playing, and we seated immediately by a nice young lady, we decided to try the Buddha veggie dumplings, which were excellent. They were lightly fried and really filled with vegetables. A lot of places when you get dumplings, they will be kind of half filled with a little more dough than filling itself not these these were packed with a nice dipping sauce on the side we share these they were excellent as you’ve seen the pictures, we also decided to order the green curry entrée with tofu. This was excellent very creamy and excellent curry balance that had bamboo shoots, bell peppers, string beans fresh basil although it says very spicy it was not unbearable. The creaminess made up for the spiciness and had a very balanced flavor and we also decided to order a Tom Yum pak soup, This was a veggie lemon grass, soup, hot and sour style with tofu, mixed veggies, onions, lemongrass, lime, basil leaves,galagal and mushrooms. This was a little bit spicy, not overwhelming and very well done. We had a little bit of tea and it was just a really nice laid-back atmosphere. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves as a few more couples came in. This really had a nice romantic ambience to it and would be a great place to takea date or a family. This is kind of...

After having authentic Lao food in Minnesota, I have been searching everywhere for authentic Laotian food. This is a nice restaurant with a calm atmosphere located towards South Philly/Little Saigon.

Parking: There is a parking lot across the street for other businesses that can be used however it is packed and there may potentially not be any parking available. There are also back angle parking spots along the street of this restaurant.

Service: Service was quick. Cashier was nice. We did not see physical menus however they have QR codes posted on each table that leads to their online menu. The place wasn't busy and we were able to order takeout which was completed in ~10-15 minutes.

Price: Reasonable.

Food: Menu items have spice levels 1-5 with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest. We ordererd the Som Tum Lao (Spice Level 5) and Laab Salad (Pork; Spice Level 5). I really enjoyed the spice level 5. Unlike many other restaurants that have spice levels, this place actually delivers the spice as advertised! I was not disappointed at the spice.

The Som Tum Lao was good. The taste was there! The two minor complaints on this dish would be that it needs more papaya and less lettuce and that it needs more sauce as the top portion was on the drier side.

The Laab Salad was also good! It is a good portion size and was sweet. Only complaint with this one is that the level 5 spice could use a little more spicyness. This would be perfect if it was the same spice as the Som Tum Lao.

I will definitely be visiting this place whenever I am craving some...

I generally don't go out to eat, but I have eaten at Ratchada more than I have eaten at all the other restaurants of Philadelphia combined. The food is excellent and has a good spice variety. I am so close to starting a log of meals and my opinions on them, so I can get my favorites over and over again while also trying something new each time. But over all food is superb (can and will rave about it), service is good, and atmosphere is alright (as in nothing to complain about, but totally there for the food). Interesting situation of using your phone to use the menu, but I am used to it at this point. Also, big big kudos to them as having obvious gluten free options. My dad has Celiac's and he loves to go out to eat, but it makes me so nervous to pick a restaurant. With Ratchada I don't have to worry about that and he has many, many options on meals.

Update April 8th 2025 They have added paper menus since I was last here, which is appreciated. Added new little lights and table runners. Service and food is just as delicious as always. Prices are slightly more expensive than before at like about 18-22 so a dish, but they deserve it. For an appetizer and threes we paid $86 on 4/7/25. Thai Ginger...